Chapter 2
Eichi: Why are you bowing your head to me all of a sudden, Mao?
I can’t say that I can absolutely make it happen this late in the game, but first let me know what’s going on. Then, I’ll see what I can do from there.
Mao: S–sure. Uh, this is gonna sound so pathetic, but... Trickstar is short on funds.
Eichi: Oh, I see. From what I saw the other day at Summer Live, none of you were particularly thinking about maximizing profits.
In the end, the profits you did make were negligible at best, correct?
So then, to make up for your own shortcomings, you want the student council to give you a loan for your activities.
Mao: Uh, well, y–yeah...?
Eichi: Hm, Mao. Is it really necessary for you to go to these lengths just to perform in Sunflower Live?
I’m sure the ones organizing the live would be overjoyed to see Trickstar in their lineup.
But—and this may sound harsh—it ultimately doesn’t matter whether you’re the ones to do it.
If it comes down to the wire without any applicants, I can simply call in one of the units I think would fit the bill.
If you don’t have the funds, you can take up part-time jobs on campus or participate in Dream Fests.
So then, why exactly do you want to borrow money for Sunflower Live in particular?
Mao: Ahaha yeah, that was pretty harsh. But you’re right... I mean, yeah. Like I said earlier, I was just taking a chance.
...We got our asses kicked at Summer Live. And when we had our meeting, we came to the conclusion that what we needed was more experience with lives.
Well I mean, that’s not the only reason we lost to Eve, but I’m pretty sure that’s our biggest problem right now.
Eichi: Don’t worry. I can make sure you get more experience than you could possibly ever want ♪
Mao: P–please go easy on us.
Sorry, uh. I said we needed more experience, but really what we want more than anything is to get over our feelings about Summer Live and spend what’s left of summer together.
I want our summer to be filled with happy memories, not just the bitter ones we got from Summer Live.
So I wanted to perform in Sunflower Live and make those happy memories with everyone.
We’ll set up a booth at the live and pay back the student council with the money we get from that.
And you can charge interest too, I don’t mind. So please, can we get a loan so we can perform...?
Ritsu: Yeah, nope~
Mao: Hey—Ritsu?! Why are you stopping me? Let go!
Ritsu: Because the only one who gets the pleasure of seeing you beg on your knees is me~
Mao: Huh?! What the hell’s that supposed to mean...?
Eichi: Fufu, you two sure are close. Anyway, as for your request, we do have a system in place for that.
But I am worried about a well-known unit like Trickstar taking out a loan.
It’s usually the less popular units that borrow from the student council.
Putting your name down would be essentially equating you with those unpopular units.
Nasty rumors tend to spread like wildfire. I wish you all would have more self-awareness as idols.
Mao: W–well yeah, that’s true...
Ritsu: Quit bullying my Maa~kun, Ecchan.
Eichi: Oh, so sorry. Mao always reacts with so much sincerity that I can’t help but want to pick on him.
Ritsu: Mm~ Oh, I just thought of something. If they can’t borrow from the school, why can’t you lend him the money, Ecchan?
I mean, you are super rich. You can shell out as much as you need, right?
Eichi: Well, it’s not impossible.
Ritsu: Then...
Eichi: But, their goal is to overwrite their bitter memories. I can’t throw money around just because you want to make your summer more fun.
So Mao. If I were to lend you the money, what would I get in return?
Mao: ......
(Everything will be paid back in full with the proceeds from the merch we sell... We can pay you back with interest on top... Yeah maybe, but I doubt the President wants to hear an answer like that.)
(I don’t know if this is what you’re looking for, but here goes nothing!)
Mao: Trickstar will be the best idol unit that performs at Sunflower Live. On top of that, we’ll also have the top merch sales.
If either of those ends up not happening, you can do whatever you want to me for the rest of the summer!
Ritsu: Hang on, Maa~kun, what are you thinking? Are you seriously so desperate you’re willing to sell yourself?
Eichi: Mao is so self-sacrificing, hm? Well, I could see how earnest and resolved he was from that outburst.
Mao: Th–then you’ll...!
Eichi: Fine. I’ll lend Trickstar some pocket change ♪
Wataru: Say my name, and I shall appear! Da-da-da-duuun~ ♪
Eichi: Whoa—you scared me. Fufu, you always pop out of nowhere, don’t you Wataru?
But I never actually said your name.
Wataru: Fufufu. I heard something that piqued my interest, so I dropped in from the ceiling~ ♪
Trickstar plans to have a booth at Sunflower Live, I hear? Eichi, may I join in?
Eichi: Why are you asking for my permission?
Hmm... Oh, I know. Mao, you and Wataru will have a competition to see who can sell more. Wataru, if you win, you can do whatever you want to Mao for the rest of the summer.
Wataru: Fantastic! I was hoping for a guinea pig to try some magic tricks on, so this works splendidly!
Mao: H–Hold up a sec, President!
Eichi: Hm? You’re the one who said I could do whatever I like with you, correct?
Mao: Well, yeah, but... Oh, fine. I get it. I said we’d get top sales with our booth, so now I have to compete with Hibiki-senpai for it.
Eichi: Exactly. So you’ll need to put your minds together and do your best to defeat Wataru.
Wataru: Oh? Are you not going to support me in this, Eichi?
Eichi: Oops, sorry. I’ll be rooting for you, too, so don’t worry.
Wataru is a genius in every respect. Even if the whole of Trickstar stands against him, I don’t know whether you can win.
However, you four have created a miracle once before. So then, you should be able to overcome this trial as well, right?
Bring about a miracle again, Trickstar ♪ That is my greatest wish.